UTUMISHI KWA WOTE

 Today, am reflecting on my close to twelve years in the Police Service.

28/12/16 is a date I look forward to as I will be clocking twelve years in the Kenya Police Service by the grace of God. This to me is such a big blessing as I know we have lost so many colleagues, seniors and juniors in the line of duty, out of motor vehicle accidents, terminal illnesses, HIV AIDS, desertion of duty, unfair dismissal among other causes that I have not listed here. I am also glad that more well educated and highly disciplined officers have peacefully left us for greener pastures. Whereas the numbers are discouraging, the reason given is that we are poorly paid hence there is every reason to quit in search of better salaries out there. 

This is no crime but in the 21^st Century we need more of these folks in here. Crime trends are changing, the ways to tackle them are changing too and the population/masses are getting enlightened more and more. This in return calls for a whole new crop of Police Officers that can effectively address modern day security challenges. For us who are left behind, who love the service from the bottom of our hearts, those who always live and dream of a reformed Police Service, those of us who have chosen to hold on and live by our motto “UTUMISHI KWA WOTE”, it can sometimes be too cold in here. 

Today is such a day for me as I reflect on the #RongaiMatatu Menace and yesterday’s loss of innocent lives in the Lang’ata road accident.

During such cold and low moments, this verse reminds me that being a Police Officer is a humble call and being trained as one and adorning oneself in the blue uniform/khaki uniform, carrying a pair of handcuffs and a G3 rifle, an AK47 or a ceska pistol and being in the Government payroll does not make one a modern day Police Officer. A modern day Police Officer, whether Christian or non Christian must live by these words if we are to effectively Police this nation.  Then some soldiers asked Him, (JESUS) “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely-be content with your pay.-Luke 3;14

In the Service, guided by the above words backed by the much needed political support and competitive salaries for men and women in uniform:

Police colors branded vehicles and those not branded would not been seen close to bars and wine and spirit joints every evening in the name of patrols whereas the truth is that they frequent these places to collect ‘tango’ for these outlets to continue to thrive despite not conforming to the set rules that should  govern their establishment and existence. Open day bribe collection centers manned by traffic cops would be a thing of the past as well as road blocks manned by other officers at night that cause untold agony in the name of un necessary traffic jams would be a thing of the past too. All speeding vehicles would be brought to book and drivers sorted in line with the law, a complete departure from the current norm where only private vehicles seem to be caught for speeding.

Road carnage would be something of the past or would significantly reduce as errant drivers would be punished as it is provided for by the law whereas un roadworthy vehicles would be resting in pieces in various junk yards. Michuki rules compliant matatus would define public transport in Kenya, a complete departure from what is happening today where over loaded matatus pass Police Check points in exchange of “funga macho fifty bob” as if overloading is legal in Kenya. Motor cyclists and pillion passengers would not require to be reminded to put on protective gear as this would be a lifestyle and failure to do so would be dealt with as per the law, a complete departure from the current scenario where we appear not only clueless but also helpless in dealing with boda boda menace.

Young men and women would not be un fairly charged with the offense of “preparing to commit a felony”, or being drunk and disorderly just because they were not able to raise the infamous Ksh 1,000 bribe that most of us know has been an income generating side hustle for most officers. Officers would not be excited to undertake the retrogressive ‘’MSAKOS” on Friday’s in the name of law enforcement whereas we all know that this only creates bad blood with the young folks in  an era where friendly and effective approaches to Policing a nation should be adopted.

The fight against Illicit brew  would not require Politicians to come on board the Kenyan Style as fifty bob collecting officers would not be seen anywhere around these places in the name of bridging the gaps caused by inadequate remuneration. Brewers would only have one option, change business and invest in other areas that are more beneficial to the Country at large and not a few individuals as is the case. Our young people would not be affected by drug and substance abuse addiction if we gave drug barons no space to operate in rather than fuelling their illicit trade by collecting protection fees.

Mugging in the city center, phone snatching, touting, noisy matatus with loud horns and exhaust systems, overlapping and driving on pavements, the ever growing number of con men would be a thing of the past as officers would not collude with such characters as has been the case. Such perpetrators would be arrested and charged in the courts and the city center would be an orderly and peaceful place to work in. The in human county government askaris numbers   would reduce significantly as no one would dare grab market spaces in the name of development as Police would tame such behavior and intentions with ease and hawkers would not throng the city center.

For this to happen though, we must do certain things internally….

Officers must re invent themselves and take their rightful place in building a safer, business friendlier Nation and  must embrace professionalism right from when doing a recruitment need analysis, actual recruitment, training, placement, promotions, transfers, disciplining of officers of all ranks all the way to when separation is done. Corruption must not be condoned in all ranks and departments, Police in action must be discouraged, cash for transfers and secondment must cease, favoritism must end, officers must embrace continuous training and re fresher courses that must be professionally done and not a form of punishment.

Whereas the above is not exhaustive, as a person, I promise to continue dreaming and giving all I have to every common mwananchi that I serve,a vow I took eleven years and nine months ago. -UTUMISHI KWA WOTE.- So help me God.